U.S. strikes 70 ISIS targets after Americans killed
Jets, helicopters and rockets struck hard as U.S. and allies moved swiftly after lives were lost
The Trump administration on Friday, December 19, 2025, ordered a wide-ranging series of military strikes across central Syria, targeting what U.S. officials described as Islamic State fighters, weapons depots, and operational hubs. The strikes came nearly a week after a deadly ambush killed two American service members and an American interpreter, an attack that sharply raised tensions and prompted Washington to respond with force.
According to U.S. defense officials, the operation was “large-scale” and carefully coordinated, hitting at least 70 separate targets spread across areas where Islamic State, also known as ISIS, has maintained underground networks. The targets included weapons storage sites, training areas, logistics routes, and hideouts believed to be used by militants to plan and carry out attacks.
The assault involved a broad mix of air and ground firepower. F-15 Eagle fighter jets and F-16s, including aircraft operating from neighboring Jordan, carried out precision strikes from the air. A-10 Thunderbolt ground attack planes, long known for their ability to provide close air support, were also deployed. AH-64 Apache helicopters joined the operation, striking targets at lower altitudes, while HIMARS rocket artillery was used to hit positions from a distance. Officials said the variety of platforms reflected both the scale of the mission and the intent to hit multiple types of targets quickly.
President Donald Trump addressed the strikes in a social media post, saying they were aimed at ISIS “strongholds” and warning militant groups against attacking Americans. In blunt language, he said that anyone “evil enough” to target U.S. personnel would face overwhelming force in return. The message echoed a familiar theme from Trump’s presidency, emphasizing deterrence and swift retaliation when U.S. lives are lost.
Trump also said Syrian President Ahmad Al-Sharaa was “fully in support” of the U.S. operation. That statement underscored a complicated relationship in Syria, where shifting alliances and rivalries have defined the conflict for more than a decade. Al-Sharaa’s government, while controversial, has positioned itself as a determined opponent of ISIS, which continues to pose a threat despite losing much of its territorial control in recent years.
Syria’s Foreign Ministry released a statement following the strikes, saying last week’s ambush highlighted the urgent need for stronger international cooperation against terrorism. The ministry reaffirmed Syria’s commitment to fighting ISIS and preventing the group from establishing any safe havens on Syrian territory. It also said Syrian forces would continue to intensify military operations wherever the group posed a threat.
ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the ambush that killed the American troops and interpreter. However, the group has claimed two other recent attacks on Syrian security forces, including one in Idlib province that killed four Syrian soldiers. In its statements, ISIS referred to Al-Sharaa’s government and army as “apostates,” language the group often uses to justify violence against Muslim opponents it deems illegitimate.
The rivalry between ISIS and Al-Sharaa runs deep. While Al-Sharaa once led a group with ties to al-Qaida, he later broke away and became a fierce enemy of ISIS. That long-running enmity has played out on battlefields across Syria, with both sides fighting for influence, recruits, and control over territory.
U.S. officials stressed that Friday’s strikes were not a one-off response. One official said additional operations should be expected, signaling that Washington is prepared to sustain pressure on ISIS networks in the region. The goal, officials said, is not only retaliation but also prevention, disrupting the group’s ability to regroup, plan attacks, and exploit instability.
For American military families and communities, the strikes come against the backdrop of loss and grief. The deaths of the two service members and the interpreter served as a painful reminder that even years after ISIS lost its so-called caliphate, U.S. troops operating in the region remain at risk. Defense officials said protecting those forces remains a top priority.
On the ground in Syria, the impact of the strikes is still being assessed. Local residents in affected areas reported loud explosions and increased military activity, while humanitarian groups expressed concern about the broader security situation. The region remains fragile, with multiple armed actors, foreign forces, and unresolved political tensions.
As the dust settles, the message from Washington is clear: attacks on Americans will bring swift consequences. Whether the strikes succeed in weakening ISIS in a lasting way, or provoke further violence, remains to be seen. For now, the operation marks one of the most significant U.S. military actions in Syria in recent months, and a reminder that the conflict there is far from over.